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Ready to Escape and crochet?

Let’s talk about a crochet retreat. Are you ready to Escape?

The fire is lit, the cakes are baked and the sofa beckons.

I’ve been wondering how best to capture for you the essence of one of our retreat days or short crochet holidays. I think they are unique and special. Did I mention the glorious wool cupboard waiting for you to dive in? Look at those Stylecraft colours!

I’ve had a little google about as you do, to see what else is available and there are some great sounding crochet holidays I must say. You can spend an absolute fortune and stay in a posh hotel, including workshops with experts, designer chef meals and swimming in private pools. Or you can stay in a bunk barn at the other end of the budget. You can enjoy visits to yarn dyers and woolly exhibitions or learn to spin. They all sound fantastic but they are not what we are about.

Here at Escape to the Crochet we do things a little differently. We want to lessen the pace a little. Instead of a packed programme we want to offer you some of that very precious commodity, time. Time for some ‘me time’, to relax, make friends, eat cake, open your project basket and take out your hook and yarn to settle down to your crochet. I can almost hear that ‘Ahhh’ sound as you let go of your responsibilities.

Of course if you are pretty new to crochet then you might need some support or even a bit of basic tuition so we have spare hooks and yarn to get you going with those first steps. It’s completely non-threatening, not like a lesson where you might be afraid of failure. Most people pick it up really easily, one or two revert to their knitting or sewing but that’s fine too. Some super talented people even return a few weeks later with a selection of fantastic crochet blankets they have gone on to create at home.

When Escape to the Crochet was born we were already a B and B so we have comfortable en-suite rooms, including a twin room, with flat screen TVs, hospitality trays and power showers ready for our guests, not to mention really comfortable beds. On retreat days breakfast and a substantial delicious lunch are served in the conservatory.

Our crochet sitting room is a very cosy guest lounge with plenty of colourful crochet around to inspire you. In the colder months we light the wood burner. Just imagine enjoying your morning coffee and homemade cake relaxing by a real fire…wonderful, especially when the rain is pelting down outside.

Whether you come for the day or stay over you will find the atmosphere peaceful, friendly and supportive. Even if you come alone there will be new friends to get to know and you will be welcomed from the moment you step in the door.

Lots of us carry baggage in our daily lives, and I don’t mean a suitcase. Life can be tough whether you are full time mum to small people, working long stressful hours or facing up to the major illness or loss of a special person in your life. Maybe you are just feeling a bit lonely or isolated? Maybe you just can’t get time to crochet? Whatever it is, we all need time to renew and refresh. Crocheting in itself is known as a therapeutic hobby and invariably it works its magic spell on all our visitors.

And now I’m going to let you into a secret.

I am often asked why we decided to start Escape to the Crochet. It came about because of a tragic loss in our family. In 2013 David and I were devastated to learn that our beautiful, healthy, outdoors daughter Jen was suffering from cancer. Barely six months later we lost her at the age of only 34 years, such a senseless and untimely death.

At this low point kind friends brought me wool as I had none in the house and hadn’t picked up a hook for thirty years. Crochet filled my hands and helped soothe my heart as it still does. Our B and B kept us busy, with the rhythm of daily work looking after people whilst putting on a brave face.

So when you come for a crochet retreat we hope that some of the peace of this place will rub off on you. We can still have a good giggle too. And it won’t cost the earth. Have a look at the prices page on our website for details. I really hope you will come and join us very soon. You’re welcome.

This is a most beautiful blog post. The “escape” sadly born out of your tragic loss, has been a godsend to me. Being in the company of like minded people to chat or sit quietly in the cosy colourful sitting room is indeed a wonderful escape from everyday life. To have the delicious homemade food served to us, is the icing on the cake. Thank you x

I can’t recommend Escape to the Crochet highly enough. I bit the bullet and visited on my own and I was made to feel incredibly welcome and instantly made new friends. I have visited many times since then when I need a break from daily life and my spirits need lifting. I am never disappointed. Having the time to relax with my crochet among friends is priceless. The homemade food is fatastic and I can’t thank David and Gillian enough. David is an excellent cook and host. Gillian goes above and beyond. I’m always greeted with a hug and I so feel genuinely welcome. I call it my home away from home. Always itching to book the next one. If you are on the fence please try it and don’t be nervous everyone is so welcoming.

A lovely post, Gillian. You are a very brave lady, in fact a very brave family, and an inspiration to all who know you.
Your ‘Escape’ days are exactly that. A peaceful haven where you can relax with like minded people and truly get away from it all. Then of course there are all those delicious home made goodies. A real treat.
I love coming along and really treasure my time with you. There is always some help when you get stuck or want to learn and always something to inspire you.
I don’t get there as often as I would like but hopefully restraints on my time will become less. I can’t wait for my next Escape!

Meet Gillian

Hello my name is Gillian and thank you for visiting me at Escape to the Crochet here in beautiful Northumberland.

David and I run our cosy little B&B here on our smallholding and especially love to welcome guests to our crochet day retreats and short breaks where it’s all about colourful crochet, homemade cakes and good home cooking.

Crochet gives me an escape that I love and I hope to share the joy with you, along with some of my other favourite escapes.